problem. Mindful of all the factors, Tom told us that hi
goal was to reach the top of the third mountain in 1
hours, 30 minutes, more than an hour faster than Tean
Perkins had ever finished before. Kelvin objected. Thai
was too ambitious even for the experienced members of
the team, he said, not to mention the rookie climber from
America. As all eyes turned to me, I admitted sheepishly
that my goal was to finish in 23 hours, 59 minutes, 59
seconds-and I wasn't sure I could make that.
For a moment, I feared a nasty trans-Atlantic con
tretemps. But that tough Chippenham crew proved to
be adept at international diplomacy. Over prodigious
quantities of beer, we worked out a mutually satisfac
tory modus ascendi: The selfless Kelvin volunteered
to form a sub-team with me. We would start up Ben
Nevis a couple of hours earlier than the others, so
as not to hold them back. On the following two
mountains, we'd work out a similar accommodation.
ist
PHOTOGRAPHER'S NOTES
I Was trying to get some rest on
the van's floor. I wasn't succeed
ing. Perhaps I was thinking about
whether I'd ever get another
assignment from the GEOGRAPHIC,
considering that the high point of
coverage so far involved getting
a shot of a guy throwing up, and
another of two guys peeing by
the side of the road.